All Women's Colleges and Universities in the U.S
Advantages and Disadvantages of Single Sex Education
Oct 15, 2008
Before the 20th century, most women in America who received a college education did so at all women's colleges. Today, coeducation has become the norm – that is, most schools open their doors to both sexes. However, for women who are interested in same sex education, this option is still available at 49 colleges and universities.
History of Women's Colleges and Universities in the 20th Century
During the 1960s and 1970s, the majority of single sex colleges went coed. This happened for several reasons. First, the Victorian sensibility that women needed to be protected from men was fading. Second, as many women joined the workforce and the Women's Liberation Movement, people began to question whether "separate but equal" schools brought an equally high caliber education to every student.
Today, the only remaining four-year colleges for men are Wabash College in Indiana, Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, St. John's University in Minnesota, and Morehouse College in Georgia. So why have so many all women's colleges survived? Many students, teachers, parents, and administrators still feel there is a need for these schools. In coed institutions, women need to compete with men for attention and resources, and in an unequal world, women don't always win this competition. In addition, many young women enjoy the camaraderie and security these campuses bring.
Advantages of All Women's Colleges and Universities
So is an all women's school right for you? Here are some advantages of these institutions:
- Lack of competition with men for attention and mentorship.
- A close-knit, "female friendly" atmosphere.
- Opportunity to form strong bonds with women.
- Absence of the distractions that come with men around.
- Classrooms are for learning, not for getting dressed up to impress the male students.
- A comfort level in discussing issues that affect women.
- Increased level of safety on campus.
- Strong female alumni connections.
Disadvantages of All Women's Colleges and Universities
On the other hand, all women's campuses are not for everyone. Here are some of the reasons why this experience might not be right for you.
- Lack of interaction with men in the classroom and elsewhere, which is a skill women need in the workplace.
- Lack of networking opportunities with men, who, sadly, often are the most powerful and prominent networking partners.
- Constant interaction with women, which not all women like.
- Fewer opportunities to meet male dating partners (although when there's an all women's college around, there tend to be eager guys popping by).
American Women's Colleges and Universities: Where are They?
Here's a list of women's colleges and universities in the United States. Some of these schools do admit male students on a limited basis, but are primarily for females.
- Agnes Scott College, Decatur, GA
- Alverno College, Milwaukee, WI
- Barnard College, Manhattan, NY
- Bay Path College, Longmeadow, MA
- Bennett College, Greensboro, NC
- Brenau University, Gainesville, GA
- Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA
- Cedar Crest College, Allentown, PA
- Chatham Colege, Pittsburgh, PA
- The College of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, NY
- College of Notre Dame of Maryland, Baltimore, MD
- College of Saint Benedict, Collegeville, MN
- College of Saint Catherine, St. Paul, MN
- College of Saint Elizabeth, Morristown, NJ
- College of Saint Mary, Omaha, NE
- Columbia College, Columbia, SC
- Converse College, Spartanburg, SC
- Cottey College, Nevada, MO
- Georgian Court University, Lakewood, NJ
- Hollins University, Roanoke, VA
- Judson College, Marion, AL
- Mary Baldwin College, Staunton, VA
- Meredith College, Raleigh, NC
- Midway College, Midway, KY
- Mills College, Oakland, CA
- Moore College of Art and Design, Philadelphia, PA
- Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA
- Mount Mary College, Milwaukee, WI
- Mount St. Mary's College, Los Angeles, CA
- Peace College, Raleigh, NC
- Pine Manor College, Chestnut Hill, MA
- Rosemont College, Rosemont, PA
- Russell Sage College, Troy, NY
- Saint Joseph College, West Hartford, CT
- Saint Mary-of-the-Wood College, St. Mary's, IN
- Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN
- Salem College, Winston-Salem, NC
- Scripps College, Claremont, CA
- Simmons College, Boston, MA
- Smith College, Northampton, MA
- Spelman College, Atlanta, GA
- Stephens College, Columbia, MO
- Sweet Briar College, Sweet Briar, VA
- Trinity Washington University, Washington, DC
- Ursuline College, Pepper Pike, OH
- Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA
- Wesleyan College, Atlanta, GA
- Wilson College, Chambersburg, PA
- Women's College of the University of Denver, Denver, CO
Women schools can be a great experience for young women who want to be in a nurturing atmosphere with lots of mentorship opportunities. On the other hand, an all female campus is the last thing some girls are looking for. As you can see, there are quite a few all women's colleges and universities to choose from, so if you're interested, visit some campuses and see what you think.
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